Rose (Louise Pitre) challenges the choices of Louise (Jessica Rush) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of the musical “Gypsy.”

Chicago — In "Finishing the Hat," Stephen Sondheim describes "Gypsy" — the 1959 musical for which Jule Styne wrote the music, Arthur Laurents wrote the book and Sondheim himself wrote the lyrics — as "probably the best" example of the soon-to-fade, "straightforward, character-driven musical play."

No argument here, and that's one reason I headed south to see the outstanding production of "Gypsy" that's on stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The second is director Gary Griffin, who has now directed six Sondheim musicals at Chicago Shakes and who understands Sondheim as well as any living director. | March 3, 2014»Read Full Article

Say what you will about the Oscars telecast, but one thing was undeniable: Neither Mequon native John Ridley, screenwriter of best picture winner "12 Years a Slave," nor the film's director, Steve McQueen, thanked the other in their acceptance speeches.

According to The Wrap the pair are embroiled in "a bitter feud regarding credit" for the film's screenplay, "a fight they kept quiet for the good of the" Oscar campaign." | March 3, 2014»Read Full Blog Post(3)

Prueher posed as an incompetent chef named Keith Guerke, who showed viewers how to make meals out of leftovers. Pickett and Prueher annually appear in the area with a program of what they describe as "odd and hilarious found videos." | March 3, 2014»Read Full Blog Post(1)

As the Academy Awards arrived Sunday night, Pharrell Williams might not have won an Oscar, but his consolation prize at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 isn't too shabby. Watch the video for the big new hit below, then strap yourself into your time machine to go back and see which songs were the biggest in the United States this week in 2004, 1994, 1984 and 1974.

We are finally in the month where spring originated and still snow and cold remain the most-often used four-letter words for the weather. Perhaps now we can start using another -- hope.

If you're looking for something to do or maybe just a diversion from ice and snow, Lorrie Moore feels your pain. She left bitter Wisconsin winters behind for softer ones in Tennessee. She returns to the state tonight for a reading of her "Bark: Stories" a collection of short stories at 7 p.m. at Boswell Book Company. | March 3, 2014»Read Full Blog Post